Mohegan Sun PA - Trip Report - 6/30
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:49:02 PM
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As many of you know, I'm also an ordained Reverend. www.ReverendDaveMiller.com. As such, I can officiate weddings. On 6/30, I did just that, about 15 miles from Mohegan Sun PA. Frankly, that's the primary reason I took the jub, about 120 miles from home.
The wedding ceremony and reception was be held on the family's yard, in the middle of Nowheresville USA. I don't want to bore you with a lot of scary details, but shorty before the ceremony, the father of the bride asked me if I did many Hick Weddings.
The ceremony went well. I hung around long enough to have a plate of food (Yeah, I'm a big, fat, cheap bastard), then headed to the Sun.
My route from home to the wedding took me on Route 80 towards the Mount Airy exit, then up the PA Tpke extension towards Mohegan Sun. Prior to passing Mt Airy, I saw one billboard for it, advertising the upcoming entertainment, but no indication of location. After passing, and getting close to the Sun, there was one billboard for that, but it's primary message was the exit number needed. After taking the exit indicated, there were trailblazer signs directing the way. Mind you there were few of ANY billboards along this route, but clearly, the Sun put an empasis on getting there rather than assuming you know where it is.
In other threads, I had mentioned that finding Mt Airy was a challenge, while finding the Sands was a snap. Finding Mohegnan Sun was easier, but still no simple thing. I was in the right lane of a rather wide avenue, shortly after passing a small trailblazer sign indicating that it was about a mile ahead, when I came to a red traffic light. My GPS also indicated that I had about a half mile to go - and to go straight. Fortunately the light was red, allowing me to look around and see that the left turn lane leads into the driveway entrance, past a large, edge of property marquee.
As you know, I made a thread compaing Mohegan Sun CT to Foxwoods. When I evaluate casinos, I don't look at specific game rules because they can change. Nor do I consider dealer attitudes or skill level, because everyone has good and bad days, Basically, I look at the design and decor. In that thread I stated that the Foxwoods design looked like a cross between a corporate complex and a strip mall. Mohegan Sun CT looked like the white man's idea of what an Indian resort should look like.
I wanted to see if Mohegan Sun PA captured the same feel.
It did not.
Not even close.
Oh, don't get me wrong. The place looked nice. As it should. But there was nothing special about the design or decor. In CT, you could see the Indian influences and the tribe's logo everywhere. In PA, you had to look for it. It was on the roadside marquee, but hardly anywhere else.
It's comprised of two buildings. The former Pocono Downs racetrack clubhouse got converted into the race book, poker room and a slot parlor. But the race book is seperated from the rest of the casino by doors within the building, making it uninviting. I did not venture inside. Instead I headed to the poker room, which was a challenge to find. Mind you, I knew it was here because I had surveyed the online property map before leaving home. As I enter the slot parlor, I see a set of escalators and I get the feeling the poker room is down there, but there's no sign, so I don't go down. Continuing into the slot parlor, I come to stairs heading down, with signs indicating it's the poker room. When I get to the bottom of the stairs, I see about 12 poker tables that have no players or staff. WTF! I turn around to leave and see more empty tables to the side. I decided to check it out rather than give up, and I walk in, pass the bottom of the escalator I didn't use (sigh), and finally come to some more poker tables that have some life to them.
In total I estimate there were 40 poker tables, which impressed me, but there were only about 7 games going, so that kinda dashed that impression.
At about 4:30pm on a Saturday, I was seated immediately. Let me repeat that. At about 4:30pm on a Saturday, I was seated immediately. This was in a poker room that had only 7 of the 40 tables in use.
This is not a good sign. Sands, often described as the Eastern PA poker capitol, has no fears of losing business to the Sun.
I had no spectacular hands, although about 4 times the guy on my right showed me he pocket fours that he was folding after a big bet either pre-flop or on a flop that didn't have any fours. Not only that, but two of those times, he would have made quads!
At about 6:00 a couple players were away from the table, and a couple others had left, leaving us with 4 players. The game came to a halt since nobody wanted to play four-handed. Someone suggested breaking the table up, and the floorman asked us to give it a minute or two. Mind you this is 6:00pm and we were having trouble finding players. Had this been the Sands, there would be a long wait list to get on one of the 30 or so games going!
Fortunately, the missing players returned and a couple new players showed up, so we were nine-handed. I played another half hour and was down about $100 when I started thinking about leaving to play craps before I headed home. Then the floor comes in to change the cards. I was still undecided while I watched the first deck being examined. When they were satisfied, the dealer gave the deck a single riffle and placed it into the shuffler. Shouldn't there be a wash when a new deck is first used. I decided to go play craps.
There is a long hallway connector between the old track clubhouse and the new casino. In this area there are no stores or anything to give it any personality. A couple of non-desctipt paintings on the walls just to break things up was all.
There are two pits, on opposite sides of the circular casino. The connector led me right to the pit on the non-smoking side. Sweet! There's two craps tables, only one is open, and only half-full. I step up to the left of a guy that had nearly a full rail row of reds and greens. I get there just in time to see a new come out roll. Point is 6. I have chips, so I throw in a green for my $12 6 & 8. The guy on my left is pacing 5/8/9 for $50 / $60 / $50, $50 odds on his line and $10 come.
The shooter threw a couple 6 & 8, as well as several 5 & 9. The guy converted all his places to comes with full odds, and got paid on a few of them before the 7 out. I made a little because I tend to be conservative when I first step up.
The same thing happened with the next shooter. The guy next to me makes a ton, I turned a small profit.
Now I see him sorting his chips to color up and leave. As he does this, the new shooter is an older lady who threw one die off the table. I made a comment and the guy says, "Yeah, she did that and had a nice long throw last time." I'm wondering why he's coloring up to leave, but don't say anything. But the comment (as well as my prior small profit) are enough to get me to place $44 inside and press aggressively.
I made about $200 off her!
The next shooter was her husband who also threw the first die off the table. I made about $100 off him.
Then it was my turn to shoot. First roll: 11. I forgot the C/E bet. I got it down for the next roll, which was a 5. Sigh. Put down my odds, and my inside bets. 8. OK, got paid. Let's see how this goes. 7. Bye Bye roughly fifty bucks....
It was about 7:30 and I wanted to leave by 8:00, so this was as good a time as any. I find the cage. Two windows with two McDonald's style lines, one person waiting on each. I struggle to pick a line for a moment. A few minutes later I realize I picked the wrong line - someone doing a complicated marker payment. Sigh.
When I sat down at poker, I handed them my CT player's card. Can't use it here! So they made me a new card, new number, and told me to go to the booth later to get $10 in free slot play.
So after the cage I went to the players club counter. Three people ahead of me on a single Wendy's style line. I waited less on that line that I had at the cage. I got my $10 validated and asked about linking the account with my CT account. They don't do that. She couldn't explain why not. Whatever.
I hunted around for a few minutes and found a 10-play 25¢ poker machine. The Jacks or Better was a 5/6 payscale. Sucks, but screw it. I'm only playing 4 hands then getting the hell out. First hand, I'm dealt a pair of aces. It improves to quads plus some improvement on some of the 9 other hands. Next hands, dealt queens. No quads, but some improvement. Next, jacks. Same thing. The last hand I was dealt an Ace, a pair of threes, a 6 and a 9. I decided to keep the ace. Five of the hands were winners. All told, the $10 in free play turned into $24.75 cash! Sweet!
As I'm walking around, looking for the exit, I pass a Johnny Rockets with no line at the take out window, and few people inside. This is at 7:45pm. whatever. I decide to order a malt, and see if I have any free money on my player's card. Sure enough I got $2 off the cost. Nice way to end the day. And the malt was de-licious!
Bottom line: Don't compare the CT and PA properties. They are so different that the player's accounts aren't even linked, and in contrast to the inspiring decor and design in CT, I left the PA location without taking a single picture.
The wedding ceremony and reception was be held on the family's yard, in the middle of Nowheresville USA. I don't want to bore you with a lot of scary details, but shorty before the ceremony, the father of the bride asked me if I did many Hick Weddings.
The ceremony went well. I hung around long enough to have a plate of food (Yeah, I'm a big, fat, cheap bastard), then headed to the Sun.
My route from home to the wedding took me on Route 80 towards the Mount Airy exit, then up the PA Tpke extension towards Mohegan Sun. Prior to passing Mt Airy, I saw one billboard for it, advertising the upcoming entertainment, but no indication of location. After passing, and getting close to the Sun, there was one billboard for that, but it's primary message was the exit number needed. After taking the exit indicated, there were trailblazer signs directing the way. Mind you there were few of ANY billboards along this route, but clearly, the Sun put an empasis on getting there rather than assuming you know where it is.
In other threads, I had mentioned that finding Mt Airy was a challenge, while finding the Sands was a snap. Finding Mohegnan Sun was easier, but still no simple thing. I was in the right lane of a rather wide avenue, shortly after passing a small trailblazer sign indicating that it was about a mile ahead, when I came to a red traffic light. My GPS also indicated that I had about a half mile to go - and to go straight. Fortunately the light was red, allowing me to look around and see that the left turn lane leads into the driveway entrance, past a large, edge of property marquee.
As you know, I made a thread compaing Mohegan Sun CT to Foxwoods. When I evaluate casinos, I don't look at specific game rules because they can change. Nor do I consider dealer attitudes or skill level, because everyone has good and bad days, Basically, I look at the design and decor. In that thread I stated that the Foxwoods design looked like a cross between a corporate complex and a strip mall. Mohegan Sun CT looked like the white man's idea of what an Indian resort should look like.
I wanted to see if Mohegan Sun PA captured the same feel.
It did not.
Not even close.
Oh, don't get me wrong. The place looked nice. As it should. But there was nothing special about the design or decor. In CT, you could see the Indian influences and the tribe's logo everywhere. In PA, you had to look for it. It was on the roadside marquee, but hardly anywhere else.
It's comprised of two buildings. The former Pocono Downs racetrack clubhouse got converted into the race book, poker room and a slot parlor. But the race book is seperated from the rest of the casino by doors within the building, making it uninviting. I did not venture inside. Instead I headed to the poker room, which was a challenge to find. Mind you, I knew it was here because I had surveyed the online property map before leaving home. As I enter the slot parlor, I see a set of escalators and I get the feeling the poker room is down there, but there's no sign, so I don't go down. Continuing into the slot parlor, I come to stairs heading down, with signs indicating it's the poker room. When I get to the bottom of the stairs, I see about 12 poker tables that have no players or staff. WTF! I turn around to leave and see more empty tables to the side. I decided to check it out rather than give up, and I walk in, pass the bottom of the escalator I didn't use (sigh), and finally come to some more poker tables that have some life to them.
In total I estimate there were 40 poker tables, which impressed me, but there were only about 7 games going, so that kinda dashed that impression.
At about 4:30pm on a Saturday, I was seated immediately. Let me repeat that. At about 4:30pm on a Saturday, I was seated immediately. This was in a poker room that had only 7 of the 40 tables in use.
This is not a good sign. Sands, often described as the Eastern PA poker capitol, has no fears of losing business to the Sun.
I had no spectacular hands, although about 4 times the guy on my right showed me he pocket fours that he was folding after a big bet either pre-flop or on a flop that didn't have any fours. Not only that, but two of those times, he would have made quads!
At about 6:00 a couple players were away from the table, and a couple others had left, leaving us with 4 players. The game came to a halt since nobody wanted to play four-handed. Someone suggested breaking the table up, and the floorman asked us to give it a minute or two. Mind you this is 6:00pm and we were having trouble finding players. Had this been the Sands, there would be a long wait list to get on one of the 30 or so games going!
Fortunately, the missing players returned and a couple new players showed up, so we were nine-handed. I played another half hour and was down about $100 when I started thinking about leaving to play craps before I headed home. Then the floor comes in to change the cards. I was still undecided while I watched the first deck being examined. When they were satisfied, the dealer gave the deck a single riffle and placed it into the shuffler. Shouldn't there be a wash when a new deck is first used. I decided to go play craps.
There is a long hallway connector between the old track clubhouse and the new casino. In this area there are no stores or anything to give it any personality. A couple of non-desctipt paintings on the walls just to break things up was all.
There are two pits, on opposite sides of the circular casino. The connector led me right to the pit on the non-smoking side. Sweet! There's two craps tables, only one is open, and only half-full. I step up to the left of a guy that had nearly a full rail row of reds and greens. I get there just in time to see a new come out roll. Point is 6. I have chips, so I throw in a green for my $12 6 & 8. The guy on my left is pacing 5/8/9 for $50 / $60 / $50, $50 odds on his line and $10 come.
The shooter threw a couple 6 & 8, as well as several 5 & 9. The guy converted all his places to comes with full odds, and got paid on a few of them before the 7 out. I made a little because I tend to be conservative when I first step up.
The same thing happened with the next shooter. The guy next to me makes a ton, I turned a small profit.
Now I see him sorting his chips to color up and leave. As he does this, the new shooter is an older lady who threw one die off the table. I made a comment and the guy says, "Yeah, she did that and had a nice long throw last time." I'm wondering why he's coloring up to leave, but don't say anything. But the comment (as well as my prior small profit) are enough to get me to place $44 inside and press aggressively.
I made about $200 off her!
The next shooter was her husband who also threw the first die off the table. I made about $100 off him.
Then it was my turn to shoot. First roll: 11. I forgot the C/E bet. I got it down for the next roll, which was a 5. Sigh. Put down my odds, and my inside bets. 8. OK, got paid. Let's see how this goes. 7. Bye Bye roughly fifty bucks....
It was about 7:30 and I wanted to leave by 8:00, so this was as good a time as any. I find the cage. Two windows with two McDonald's style lines, one person waiting on each. I struggle to pick a line for a moment. A few minutes later I realize I picked the wrong line - someone doing a complicated marker payment. Sigh.
When I sat down at poker, I handed them my CT player's card. Can't use it here! So they made me a new card, new number, and told me to go to the booth later to get $10 in free slot play.
So after the cage I went to the players club counter. Three people ahead of me on a single Wendy's style line. I waited less on that line that I had at the cage. I got my $10 validated and asked about linking the account with my CT account. They don't do that. She couldn't explain why not. Whatever.
I hunted around for a few minutes and found a 10-play 25¢ poker machine. The Jacks or Better was a 5/6 payscale. Sucks, but screw it. I'm only playing 4 hands then getting the hell out. First hand, I'm dealt a pair of aces. It improves to quads plus some improvement on some of the 9 other hands. Next hands, dealt queens. No quads, but some improvement. Next, jacks. Same thing. The last hand I was dealt an Ace, a pair of threes, a 6 and a 9. I decided to keep the ace. Five of the hands were winners. All told, the $10 in free play turned into $24.75 cash! Sweet!
As I'm walking around, looking for the exit, I pass a Johnny Rockets with no line at the take out window, and few people inside. This is at 7:45pm. whatever. I decide to order a malt, and see if I have any free money on my player's card. Sure enough I got $2 off the cost. Nice way to end the day. And the malt was de-licious!
Bottom line: Don't compare the CT and PA properties. They are so different that the player's accounts aren't even linked, and in contrast to the inspiring decor and design in CT, I left the PA location without taking a single picture.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
July 3rd, 2012 at 4:52:50 PM
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When my daughter got married 10 years ago not everybody was on Facebook. Should have seen the looks when my daughter
told everybody she got married by an internet preacher. LOL Times have sure changed.
told everybody she got married by an internet preacher. LOL Times have sure changed.
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:09:52 PM
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Hey, Mohegan Pocono is my home casino!
When I try to describe the feel of the place, the closest I can get is that it feels like a really expensive bingo parlor. I'm used to it, so I don't notice, and I've come to appreciate the down-home friendliness. The food is pretty good at Rustic Kitchen, if you want to sit.
There was some big horse race that day. That might have accounted for the lines. I don't play poker, and I've never been down to the card room.
When I try to describe the feel of the place, the closest I can get is that it feels like a really expensive bingo parlor. I'm used to it, so I don't notice, and I've come to appreciate the down-home friendliness. The food is pretty good at Rustic Kitchen, if you want to sit.
There was some big horse race that day. That might have accounted for the lines. I don't play poker, and I've never been down to the card room.
A falling knife has no handle.
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:04:39 PM
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i am glad you made a little money there.
i too love mohegan CT, and was slightly let down by pocono location,
but i did like that they had $15 pai gow and $25 midi-bac.
i have never touched a card at baccarat for less than $50 or $100 so that was a lot of fun.
of course i love the .36% edge PA blackjack as well.
i cleared a few thousand on my only trip there but may not go back,
1. it is almost the same distance to either mohegan for me, ( from midtown manhattan) but CT is faster to get to
2. mohegan CT is just a huge and mind blowing place for me, even after many trips there,
3. mohegan CT has the largest asian games section anywhere outside of macau
4. the nautilus/submarine museum in groton CT is awesome and there is nothing comparable in PA
i too love mohegan CT, and was slightly let down by pocono location,
but i did like that they had $15 pai gow and $25 midi-bac.
i have never touched a card at baccarat for less than $50 or $100 so that was a lot of fun.
of course i love the .36% edge PA blackjack as well.
i cleared a few thousand on my only trip there but may not go back,
1. it is almost the same distance to either mohegan for me, ( from midtown manhattan) but CT is faster to get to
2. mohegan CT is just a huge and mind blowing place for me, even after many trips there,
3. mohegan CT has the largest asian games section anywhere outside of macau
4. the nautilus/submarine museum in groton CT is awesome and there is nothing comparable in PA
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
July 4th, 2012 at 8:38:01 AM
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Yeah, that's a good description.Quote: MoscaHey, Mohegan Pocono is my home casino!
When I try to describe the feel of the place, the closest I can get is that it feels like a really expensive bingo parlor.
I forgot to mention the parking. There wasn't much available when I arrived. When I left, I was being stalked for my spot. Driving out, I noticed cars parked in every possible space whether it was a designated spot or not.Quote: MoscaThere was some big horse race that day. That might have accounted for the lines.
This also reminded me of Mt. Airy. Both have surface parking. The Sands has a large parking garage.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
July 4th, 2012 at 9:11:25 AM
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You wouldn't know it, because there aren't any signs, but valet parking at Mohegan Pocono is free. Pickup is automated, by scanning the bar code on the receipt.
$2 tip at the exit, to drop your car off at the door and pick it up there as well? I'm in.
$2 tip at the exit, to drop your car off at the door and pick it up there as well? I'm in.
A falling knife has no handle.
July 4th, 2012 at 4:54:12 PM
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Really? Wow.
Considering the valet parking at Sands costs $7, and they have a very easy parking garage, while Mohegan Sun's surface lot was generally full, I assumed that their valet parking would also cost at least $7, so I didn't bother to check.
Considering the valet parking at Sands costs $7, and they have a very easy parking garage, while Mohegan Sun's surface lot was generally full, I assumed that their valet parking would also cost at least $7, so I didn't bother to check.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
July 4th, 2012 at 6:39:11 PM
permalink
Yep, just got back.
The prime rib downstairs at Pacer's Clubhouse, where you can watch the horses, is better than Ruth's Chris upstairs, and it's $16.95 with potato and vegetable. There's a Refer Local deal: for $25, you get a $25 voucher for Pacer's and $25 in free slot/VP play. Two per person, so I get two and Mrs gets two. We didn't want to cook out for the 4th, so we went and played some slots and watched some harness racing. We took my dad and his girlfriend.
The prime rib downstairs at Pacer's Clubhouse, where you can watch the horses, is better than Ruth's Chris upstairs, and it's $16.95 with potato and vegetable. There's a Refer Local deal: for $25, you get a $25 voucher for Pacer's and $25 in free slot/VP play. Two per person, so I get two and Mrs gets two. We didn't want to cook out for the 4th, so we went and played some slots and watched some harness racing. We took my dad and his girlfriend.
A falling knife has no handle.
